Montebello + Ashiya
Community Exchange
Every five years, delegations from Montebello and Ashiya cross the Pacific to celebrate their sister-city relationship through civic exchange, cultural experiences, and lasting personal connections.
How the exchange works
Building relationships beyond city borders
MASCA and the Ashiya Cosmopolitan Association organize reciprocal delegation visits around milestone anniversaries of the sister-city relationship. Each visit lasts approximately one week and brings together association members, mayors, city officials, educators, and community representatives.
Delegates take part in official city visits, cultural activities, community gatherings, school visits, and anniversary celebrations. The program gives residents and civic leaders an opportunity to experience the sister city firsthand and strengthen relationships between both communities.
The 2026 exchange
Celebrating 65 years of friendship
In April 2026, a 29-person delegation from Ashiya traveled to Montebello for a five-day anniversary celebration hosted by MASCA and the City of Montebello. The delegation included Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima along with city and community representatives. MASCA's reciprocal delegation is scheduled to travel to Ashiya in November 2026.
A tradition across generations
Milestone visits strengthen a lasting partnership
Reciprocal anniversary visits have been an important part of the Montebello-Ashiya relationship for decades. In November 2016, an 18-member Montebello delegation traveled to Ashiya to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the sister-city partnership.
The week-long itinerary included Ashiya City Hall, police and fire departments, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, schools, the Montebello Rose Garden, and cultural and historic destinations throughout Japan. The mayors of Montebello and Ashiya also exchanged gifts during the anniversary celebration.
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